SU VOLUNTEER TRAINING
THINKING LIKE A CHILD
YOU WILL NEED
A PowerPoint Projector
The PowerPoint Slideshow “SU Training Thinking Like a Child”
Chart Paper and markers
Printed Worksheet “SU Training: Ages and Stages” one for each participant.
Note: Some elements in this resource are drawn from CYCAS training available at max7.org
ACTIVITY – CHILDISH THOUGHTS
Let’s think back to when we were children. Don’t answer the questions like you would today.
Answer them as if you were 7 or 10 years old. There’s no right answer!
Would you rather:
Go to the zoo
Get new shoes
Be alone
Eat fruit
Drink chocolate milk
5 of these
Get a new toy
Get a new pencil case
Play with friends
Eat ice cream
Drink juice
Every child is created by God! They are unique and distinctively gifted. While each child is
special, children are actually more alike than they are different! Today we are going to try
and understand a child’s world so that we can better know how to minister to them.
ACTIVITY – WHAT CHILDREN NEED
Form small groups and ask each group to brainstorm what children need. Ideas and
examples are on the PowerPoint slide.
1) Every child needs to be (valued)
2) Every child has (a short attention span)
Here are some more ideas to add to the group brainstorming time. Add after you give the
groups a few minutes to think it through.
1
SU Canada Volunteer Training
Every child needs to be:
Every child has:
Loved
A short attention span
Valued
The ability to learn
Accepted
Unique gifts to share
Challenged
Creativity
Given Boundaries
A lot of energy!
Acknowledged
Sense of playfulness
Working with all the groups together ask them to suggest additional things that children
need. Write all the ideas on a big sheet of paper or whiteboard for everyone to see.
ACTIVITY – PART II
Form the same groups that worked together in the previous activity. Groups brainstorm the
best ways to help meet the needs of children or young people (ideas to be written on a large
sheet of paper or whiteboard)
For example: Children are energetic so we need to provide an environment that is suitable
for them to run around and play.
WHOLE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Groups review their ideas from the previous activity and then discuss these questions:
What have we learnt from our brainstorming?
Is there anything new? What does this mean for us?
Did our perspectives change? If so, how?
AGES AND STAGES
As we get older we begin to see things differently. That’s because we are maturing
emotionally, intellectually, socially, physically and spiritually. As we mature our ability to
understand and process experiences changes. It’s important to understand why a 6 year old
is different from a 12 year old. In this next section we are going to learn about Ages and
Stages.
ACTIVITY – GROUP QUIZ
Questions and answers will be shown on the PowerPoint slide. The group needs to
categorize the stage with the age. That is, what fits together for children aged 6-7, 8-9 or 1012. To make this activity more interactive and get the group moving put three signs up on 3
different walls – one for each age group. When a question appears on the slide, have the
students move to the wall that they believe is the correct age.
Keep in mind that this is a general overview.
2
SU Canada Volunteer Training
1) Small muscle coordination is developing and improving, and girls are ahead of
boys at this stage of development (6-7)
2) The child is beginning to realize that there may be other valid opinions (than
just their own). They are becoming a reasoning person; can think more about
the whole group than just about themselves. (8-9)
3) This is the age of teasing, nicknames, criticism and increased verbal skills to
vent anger. This group has an understanding of fair play and a value system of
right and wrong. (8-9)
4) There is an intense eagerness to learn and ask lots of questions. At this age
they like to repeat stories and activities. (6-7)
5) Limited concept of time, they think in the here and now rather than the past or
the future (6-7)
6) Friend and activities with peers becomes stronger and more important. This
age group would rather hang out together than with the leaders (10-12)
7) They are verbal and able to express ideas and feelings in a creative way. (10-12)
8) Hero worship is strong (10-12)
9) The child begins to experience intense feelings. (6-7)
10) This group have good muscle coordination – but if they have any delays or are
slow they show frustration (8-9)
11) Children find it hard to control their behavior, but do have a deep desire for
adult approval (6-7)
12) Begin to experience unsteady emotions (10-12)
13) Physical challenges may cause them to tire easily (10-12)
14) The “Golden Rule” is a tough concept and it’s important to be first/win! Taking
turns isn’t always easy for this group (6-7)
All 14 questions are
in this format.
Once answer is
shown, click once
more to reveal
answer.
ACTIVITY - DISCUSSION
Hand out “Ages and Stages” and invite everyone to read through it together. Discuss the 3
questions below and use the handout as a guide to help select the appropriate answers.
1) Why could you play the same game everyday with the youngest group at camp
(6-7 year olds)? The youngest group enjoys repetition and don’t get tired of
games quickly
2) Why would an activity that forces the group to work as a team be good for a 10
year old? This age group begin learning to work together and enjoy group
activities
3) If two 8 year olds are arguing would you be able to help them consider both
opinions? What about if it was two 6 year olds? 8 year olds are beginning to
understand that there are other opinions, while a 6 year old is not yet able to
think beyond their own situation and opinion.
CLOSING
Pray together for each of the children who will attend camp.
3
SU Canada Volunteer Training